Poland – AIESEC Exchange

20/05/2013

About a year ago, I was joining AIESEC Sorocaba. For those who don’t know, AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organisation. We are present in over 113 countries and with over 86,000 members. AIESEC provides a platform for youth leadership development. AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizens, to change the world, and to get experience and skills that matter today.

When I joined AIESEC I’ve already had a dream in mind, go abroad for an international exchange. I’m really passionate about presentations and teaching, so I applied for Global Citizen Program. I started to search for an exchange in Eastern Europe, to be more specific, in Poland. Fortunately, I was accepted for an educational program in Katowice – Silesia. My mission was present about brazilian culture for teenagers from public schools.

Before leave Brazil I couldn’t wonder what was waiting me. I had only a special thought: go to Poland and teach teenagers that Brazil is not just about carnival and soccer. It was my main goal.

I’ve spent seven weeks (jan/feb – 2013), it couldn’t have been better, I was pretty well received by polish people! They are very hospitable. If you think you are hospitable, you should meet a polish family, they are very kind. I want to say thank you, for every family that hosted me (for free), you rock :)

It’s amazing the amount of people who speak english, everyone speaks english! Definitely, language isn’t a barrier in Poland. By the way, many poles are studying other languages. I hope a similar situation in Brazil, for the future.

Most part of the time, I was presenting for teenagers. However, I presented for all ages, from kindergarten, through high school, to adults (in a private english school). Thank you all! Polish students are very polite. Beyond that, polish teachers are motivated, even earning a bad salary, keep the good work.

I learned a lot of new things, I taught a lot of things, I’m sure I lived the best experience of my life. It’s impossible to explain in a blog post.

I would like to thank all people that helped me, other trainees, AIESECers, host families, teachers and students, you guys are doing a great job and you are helping the world to be a better place. I’m proud of you!